DEERFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – A state trooper was briefly dragged by the car of a suspect he was trying to arrest during a traffic stop on Interstate 91 Wednesday evening, state police say. The department says that Paul Heim, 30, of Woodstock, Vermont was not caught until Deerfield Police put down a stop strip on the highway; deflating his tires. He is now facing several charges for drugs, reckless driving, and assaulting a police officer.

State Police say they seized 182 bags of what’s believed to be heroin following a chase on I-91 in Deerfield. Image Courtesy: Massachusetts State Police

According to state police media relations, shortly before 7:00 P.M., Trooper Charles Murphy tried to stop Heim for motor vehicle violations on I-91 north in Deerfield. Murphy tried to put Heim under arrest, but there was a struggle, and the suspect got back into his car. He then began to drive away, dragging Murphy for a short distance. The trooper was able to get up and back into his cruiser to follow Heim.

A state police helicopter was called-in and Deerfield police were also called to assist. As the chase was going on, state police say troopers saw Heim throw objects from the vehicle. A later search turned up 182 bags of what’s believed to be heroin, as well as a bag believed to contain crack cocaine, and some drug paraphernalia. At the 48.4 mile marker, Deerfield police put down a tire deflation device, but Heim kept going for another mile and a half before he could continue no longer.

Troopers arrested him and brought him to the Northampton state police barracks for booking. He is being charged with assault and battery on a police officer, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, reckless driving, driving without a license, possession of a class A substance, possession of a class B substance, resisting arrest, and disorderly conduct.